Rural Residency - Climate Week 2014

Cape Farewell's Rural Residency Programme was represented during the Climate Week 2014. The Sydling St. Nicholas Village hall welcomed a large audience, all interested in this unique collaboration between artists and farmers. The gathering offered an opportunity to meet artists Chris Drury, Kay Syrad and Guy Martin, as well as farmers Pam and Will Best (Manor Farm), John Morris (Huish Farm) and Chris and Suzanne Legg (Dollens Farm).

The audience listened attentively to the pros and cons of organic farming, which were carefully layed out by the farmers. The biggest pro is, of course, it being carbon neutral! Will and Pam Best, who have a stunning 30 years of experience, are the perfect role model. It's fantastic to see so much passion of all three farming families involved.

Kay Syrad read a poem she wrote after reading the day-to-day to-do list of one of the farmers. It was such and endearing story and explained in great detail what one needs to be a farmer: passion, endurance, positive energy (and lots of it), a care for small details, a care for the environment, and a family who supports you with similar stamina. Not something anyone could qualify for.

The artists also showed their initial concept, which are all really promising. The concepts will be revealed soon! The gathering ended with tea, cakes and conversations!

About the Rural Residency Programme

Cape farewell's Rural Artist Residency Programme invites artists to engage diverse, wide-reaching audiences with the local narratives of Sydling St. Nicholas, Dorset, being an AONB, -Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Working at the frontiers of natural, social and climatic change, they will interrogate the inspirational resilience and social ties that form when local communities embrace heritage, sustainability, and innovation. + Find out more